PLATLET RICH PLASMA – PRP

So what is PRP?

Most everyone thinks of blood platelets as being responsible for blood clotting after any type of injury. This is true, but they also have two other important functions. One, they are responsible for bringing white blood cells to the injured area to clean up remains of dead and injured cells. The second function is they release bioactive proteins known as growth factors. These growth factors send out chemical signals that organize and coordinate the various cells needed for tissue repair. In other words, they are the managers of the entire wound healing process. Unlike other treatments we are using your bodies own growth factors to encourage ingrowth of normal collagen and the remodeling of the previously injured tissue at the pain initiating site.

PRP has been used at many hospitals in Colorado for orthopedic procedures, neurosurgery procedures, plastic surgery and chronic wound care with great success. PRP has been used across the country for the treatment of chronic foot and ankle pain: Plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinosis, posterior tibial tendinoses as well as chronic wounds with the goal of regenerating degenerative connective tissue with reports of success.

What is involved with a PRP treatment? This procedure is done in our office under sterile technique. Approximately 3-4 tablespoons of your blood is drawn immediately prior to the procedure. The blood is placed in a special centrifuge for 15 to 20 minutes that concentrates the platelets 4-8 times the baseline values. This higher than normal concentration of platelets is what gives us platelet rich plasma. The PRP is then drawn into a syringe. The area to be treated is injected with a local anesthetic. Once the anesthetic has taken effect then the PRP is injected into the area of pain/injury. Sometimes an ultrasound is utilized to help provide some guidance to the area of the injury. Immediate ambulation is allowed after this procedure.